Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Delta College

Delta College graduates earn roughly $36,800 in their first year—about $9,000 below Michigan's median for dental support programs and a striking $18,000 below the national median. Among Michigan's 13 dental support programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile, meaning three out of four in-state alternatives deliver better outcomes. Nearby programs like Kalamazoo Valley ($52,947) and Lansing Community College ($49,832) produce graduates earning 40-50% more right out of the gate.

The debt burden of $17,800 is reasonable in absolute terms, creating a manageable 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio. Earnings do grow 7% by year four, reaching $39,209, but that still leaves graduates well behind their peers. The 12th percentile national ranking is particularly concerning—this program underperforms nearly 90% of similar programs across the country.

For parents, this raises a clear red flag: if your student is committed to dental support work in Michigan, several community colleges in the state offer the same credential with dramatically better earning potential. Unless location or specific program features make Delta the only viable option, exploring those alternatives could mean $10,000+ more in annual income from day one—a difference that compounds significantly over a career.